4.5 kilos of cocaine seized from back of pickup in Mount Airy; two booked

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's detectives got a big payoff in a lengthy narcotics investigation Friday night when they arrested a "big time" drug dealer with more than four kilograms of cocaine worth nearly a half million dollars stashed in the back of a pickup truck.

Detectives stopped a gold Ford F-150 truck on River Road in Mount Airy at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Friday and found around 4.5 kilos of cocaine in the tailgate, the Sheriff's Office said.

Detectives arrested Antony Belvin, 28, of Orchard Street in Mount Airy, and Courtney Devare, 29, of Marvin Gardens Street in LaPlace. Both were booked with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and both were being held on $1 million bonds.

Both men have prior arrests, authorities said.

Belvin is currently awaiting trial for a July 2009 arrest in which detectives found more than a kilogram of cocaine hidden inside a potato chip container, a shaving cream can and a shoe box in his possession. Detectives also found a handgun and stolen rifle in his possession. In that case, Belvin was booked with a number of crimes, including possession of marijuana and ecstasy, possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of cocaine, and possession of firearms with obliterated serial numbers.

Devare has several arrests for theft.

"(Belvin) has been on our radar for about the last six months," St. John Sheriff Wayne L. Jones said. "He's a big-time dealer with customers from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. He doesn't just deal with St. John Parish. I hope this sends a message to some of the people he deals with. We are serious about getting rid of these knuckleheads that are dealing drugs and disrespecting the neighborhood where they grew up. This guy is going away for a very long time."